Two buildings demolished after Mechanicville fire

Published 12:16 pm, Saturday, January 26, 2013

MECHANICVILLE — A south side duplex was razed early Saturday morning after firefighters worked late Friday night to douse the unyielding blaze that began in one home and quickly spread to another.

The fire broke out on the first floor of at 251 S. Third Ave. shortly after 5 p.m., authorities said, and spread to upper floor of the house next door.

No human injuries were reported after the fire, though fire officials said several cats and one dog perished in the inferno on the second floor of the building where the fire began. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, officials said.

Firefighters worked until 9 p.m. to extinguish the flames, hampered by cold weather difficulties such as hypothermia and frozen hose lines. Crews worked through dawn on Saturday to tame hot spots and prepare 251 S. Third Ave. for demolition.

The building was torn down just after 5:00 a.m. Tenants of the neighboring property, which sustained significant fire damage to the attic, will be able to return home within the week, Corrigan said.